SPOKANE, WASH. — For 80 years, the General Store has been a one-stop destination for Spokane families seeking everything from outdoor gear to children’s toys.
“Plumbing, electrical, you want to go hiking or camping, get something to play with your kids … we kind of do have it all,” said Tom Barany, part owner of the General Store.
Tom and Miles Barany own the store alongside their father, continuing a legacy started by their grandfather eight decades ago. The brothers are the third generation of owners and remember working at the store with their father, uncle and grandfather when they were teenagers.
“Every morning we just wake up early, sling freight ’till the end of the day and then, you know, go have dinner and rinse and repeat,” Miles Barany said of the family’s work ethic.
The family-owned business opened its doors in 1946 as a military surplus shop in downtown Spokane.
“That served a need at the time,” Tom Barany explained. “And now I think the way that we’ve survived and evolved is by constantly looking for what’s next and what’s trending.”
Today, the shelves feature popular items like Pokémon cards and the latest toys — products that didn’t exist when the store first opened.
For Tom Barany, the greatest reward comes from the relationships built through the family business.
“Being able to come to work with close family members who I feel connected with, and the deep sense of trust and a dedicated mission that we share towards the community is more fulfilling than I could ever hope for,” Tom Barany said.
The General Store has established several community partnerships over the years, including relationships with Shriners Children’s Hospital, the Spokane Parks Foundation and Toys for Tots.
“That’s just a massive one, especially since we brought in a toy department,” Miles Barany said.
The General Store is hosting a community celebration on Saturday, August 1st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at their Division location to thank their customers. The event will feature a bounce house, free Lego giveaways and additional activities for families.
As for the future, the Barany brothers have ambitious plans.
“80 more and 80 more after that,” Miles Barany said.
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